Defendant Seeks to Disqualify AG Mayes in “Fake Electors” Case
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One of the defendants in the “fake electors” case wants kris Mayes disqualified from pursuing it, even if she gets a new or renewed indictment. The attorney for Christina Bobb claims there is a financial link between the attorney general and the group that prepared her report on how to bring the charges and prosecute the case. The Attorney General’s Office denies the link.
Thomas Jacobs contends that States United, through related organizations, indirectly provided $190,000 to a legal defense fund that Mayes had established to fight a court challenge by Republican Abe Hamadeh to her 2022 election. And Jacobs contends that there was a payment to Mayes to convince her to indict his client, Bobb, and 17 others on various charges related to a conspiracy to undermine the results of the 2020 presidential election.
“The issue is whether she proceeded in good faith with this indictment, with this prosecution, or if she was essentially a puppet to a national agenda that assisted her in getting her elected by paying her attorneys’ fees for a challenge,” Jacobs told Capitol Media Services.
The problem with all that, according to Assistant Attorney General Nicholas Klingerman, is that the connections Thomas claims just don’t exist.
He does not dispute that the Democratic Attorneys General Association gave Mayes $50,000 before the defendants in the case were indicted, and another $150,000 after the indictments were handed up. Nor does Klingerman address Jacobs’ statement that DAGA shares an address, president and executive director as the Progressive State Leaders Commitee.
But any connection, he said, stops there.
“States United has never been a part or programme of Progressive State Leaders Committee or any of the other organizations,” Klingerman told Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Sam Myers. “And States United’s formation as an independent legal entity occurred long before it entered into the May 2023 retainer agreement with the Attorney General’s Office.”
Jacobs, however, said there’s enough evidence to show a connection between Mayes and States United to raise questions about whether the attorney general is unbiased.
All this would normally be hashed out in front of Myers, with evidence and witnesses. But Thomas has been so far unable to get his day in court to present his claim of apparent bias-and to ask that Mayes be disqualified.
By the time he asked Myers to disqualify Mayes, the judge had already tossed the indictment, ruling that prosecutors had not provided all relevant details to the grand jurors.
That specifically includes a failure to give them access to the federal Electoral Count Act of 1887.This statute specifically addresses the possibility of competing electors from a state and how Congress must handle them.
Inquiry into Alleged Campaign Finance Violations Continues Under New Leadership
An investigation into alleged campaign finance violations, initially launched in 2021, remains ongoing under the direction of Special counsel David Klingerman, who took office in early 2023. The probe aims to hold accountable those responsible for potential violations and deter future misconduct, according to reports and statements made by Klingerman himself.
Background of the Investigation
The investigation centers around potential violations of campaign finance laws, though specific details regarding the alleged violations have not been widely publicized. A 2023 report highlighted the dual purpose of the investigation: to ensure accountability for past actions and to prevent similar occurrences in the future. This principle of deterrence was further emphasized by Klingerman during court proceedings in 2024.
Klingerman’s Defense Against Politicization Claims
As the investigation progressed, questions arose regarding its potential political motivations. Klingerman directly addressed these concerns in court, asserting that the prosecution, like any criminal case, is focused on punishing wrongdoing, informing the public, and discouraging future illegal activity. He stated, “Like all criminal prosecutions, it seeks to punish prior bad behavior, educate the public, and deter future efforts to do the same thing.”
Current Status and Future Outlook
As of November 2024, the investigation is still active. while no indictments have been announced publicly, the continued efforts of Special Counsel Klingerman signal a commitment to pursuing the matter to its conclusion. The outcome of the investigation could have significant implications for future campaign finance regulations and enforcement.
Key Takeaways:
* An investigation into alleged campaign finance violations began in 2021 and is ongoing.
* David Klingerman assumed the role of Special Counsel in early 2023.
* The investigation aims to both hold individuals accountable and deter future violations.
* Klingerman has defended the investigation against claims of political motivation.